Guardians of the Galaxy Film Speculation: Star-Lord's 'Alien Orb'

This "orb" was featured on the prop table next to other Guardians of the Galaxy personal items at this year's SDCC. This is, as we're told, the orb that Peter 'Star-Lord' Quill is trying to steal in the SDCC footage.

That's about all we know, for sure.

So what's so special about this orb? Why put it next to such iconic items as Star-Lord's mask and Drax's knives? Why does Star-Lord want it so badly? The core CPU/brain for Ship, perhaps?

Check out our thoughts after the jump!

Could it play a larger role in the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (similar to the Cosmic Cube)? Are we looking at what could become/contain an Infinity Gem?

Since this was featured with Star-Lord and Drax's personal items, could it be an item specific to one of the other characters? A seed of Groot, maybe? An item of Gamora's?

Why does Star-Lord want it? Is it something connected to his father? Or could it be a Kree relic, connecting the Guardians to the alien race Ronan The Accuser belongs to?

Inside sources have told us that the orb lights up. In this Guardians of the Galaxy concept art, everyone seems interested in what Star-Lord has in his hand. If this is the orb, why is it so valuable?

Is the orb responsible for the effects we see in the concept art below? Or could it simply be the reason the characters seem to be in this ruined city?

Although, there is not much known about this orb, it is obvious that it will play a large role in the film. Leave us a comment below and tell us what you think it could be and what it could mean for our Guardians, or indeed, for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole.